Chapter 8: The Top Student and a New Friend

The first-year survival exercise was even more boring than the taijutsu matches.

After all, the only jutsu that first-year students had learned was the Cloak of Invisibility.

That's why Yagyu's display of the Body Flicker Technique had shocked everyone.

If he had shown off the Shadow Clone Jutsu as well, Iruka might have thought, like Itachi Uchiha's teacher, that there was nothing left for the Ninja Academy to teach him.

The survival exercise was simple: each student was given an item, and they had to use it to camouflage themselves within a designated area.

If Iruka found someone within the time limit, they would receive a low or high score, depending on their performance.

If they remained hidden until the time was up, they would receive full marks.

However, in Yagyu's eyes, getting full marks in this exercise depended on Iruka's mood.

Trying to fool a chunin like Iruka with the Cloak of Invisibility was impossible.

This test was really just about identifying who was the best at using the jutsu.

As expected, Yagyu was one of the top performers.

He scored full marks in shuriken throwing, taijutsu, and the survival exercise.

Once the academic results came out, the teachers would use these, along with each student's performance in previous tests and random quizzes, to choose the most outstanding student—the top student of the year.

In Yagyu's previous life, this would be called being ranked first in the grade.

Yagyu already knew that he would be the top student, even before the results were announced.

Had he not faced Sasuke Uchiha in the taijutsu match, perhaps Sasuke might have had a chance to compete for the title of top student.

After all, both Yagyu and Sasuke had scored full marks in every test and quiz over the year.

However, Sasuke's defeat in taijutsu had already sealed his fate—he wouldn't get full marks in the final exam.

This meant that Sasuke's overall score would be lower than Yagyu's.

Aside from Sasuke, no one else even stood a chance against Yagyu.

The title of top student was all but officially his.

After finishing the survival exercise, Yagyu left the Ninja Academy with Ino and Sakura.

Watching them from a distance, Hinata felt envious of Ino and Sakura, unable to muster the courage to approach Yagyu and speak to him.

Everyone seemed to have their own group of friends, except for Hinata, who had none.

It wasn't until after graduation that she found companions in Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame.

If it weren't for her younger sister, Hinata might have spent her childhood alone until the age of twelve.

Her father, Hiashi Hyuga, had already been disappointed in her due to the death of his brother Hizashi and the way Neji had overpowered her.

Fortunately, Hinata's status as the heiress of a prestigious clan provided her some protection, and they lived in a world with extraordinary abilities.

Otherwise, Hinata might have been bullied like the female protagonists in certain other anime.

Even so, in the original story, Hinata didn't escape being bullied by students from other grades—she was picked on twice.

It seemed that Yagyu noticed Hinata's gaze, as he suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked at her.

When their eyes met, Hinata quickly lowered her head, instinctively twirling her fingers.

Seeing this, Yagyu's lips curled into a slight smile.

"Yagyu, what's wrong?" Ino asked curiously when she saw Yagyu stop, following his gaze but not seeing Hinata, who had blended into the crowd.

Yagyu shook his head with a smile and said, "It's nothing. I thought I heard someone call me, but I must've been mistaken. Let's go!"

After leaving the Ninja Academy, just before parting ways with Ino and Sakura, Yagyu asked, "Tomorrow's the start of the break. Would you two like to train together with me?"

"Sure!" Ino immediately raised her hand, excited. "I've been training hard lately. I'll show you the results!"

Sakura nodded enthusiastically as well.

Seeing them both agree, Yagyu added, "Tomorrow, I'll introduce you to a new friend. But I'll need your help, Ino."

"A new friend? What do you need my help with?" Ino asked curiously.

Yagyu beckoned her closer, and Ino leaned in.

After Yagyu whispered in her ear, Ino looked at him in surprise but then patted her chest confidently, saying, "No problem. Leave it to me."

Sakura, watching them like two people speaking in riddles, was curious but didn't ask any questions.

———

"Yagyu, we're here to see you."

"The sun's up already! Yagyu, are you awake yet?"

The next morning, at 8 a.m., Yagyu was at home reading a ninjutsu scroll when he heard the voices of Sakura and Ino.

He put the scroll away, got up, and walked out of his house.

"Let's go. Time to meet our new friend."

Instead of heading to the training ground, Yagyu led them to a large mansion.

Upon closer inspection, they could see a large plaque at the entrance of the mansion that read "Hyuga."

That's right—it was the Hyuga Clan's estate.

Yagyu turned to Ino and smiled, "Now it's your turn, Ino."

"Watch me!" Ino patted her chest confidently and then ran to the entrance of the Hyuga estate, boldly engaging in conversation with the two guards.

One of the guards carefully examined Ino before heading inside the mansion.

A short while later, the guard returned and invited Ino inside.

Seeing this, Sakura couldn't help but ask, "Yagyu, how did you and Hinata meet?"

On the way to Yagyu's house, Ino had already told Sakura that the new friend Yagyu wanted to introduce was Hinata.

Both Ino and Sakura had some impression of Hinata, but not much.

All they knew was that Hinata, the daughter of a prestigious family, seemed very "aloof," never interacting with others, joining any group, or having any friends.

They never expected Yagyu to be friends with her.

What's more, Yagyu had never spoken to Hinata at school.

Yagyu didn't hide anything and explained with a smile, "I helped her out twice. Her situation is similar to how yours used to be, Sakura. I think you two will get along really well."

Sakura's eyes widened in surprise. "Similar to me? You mean she was also…?"

"Yes."

When Yagyu nodded, Sakura's eyes filled with understanding. "No wonder she's so quiet at school. I thought it was because she didn't like talking to others, but…"

Her voice trailed off as she seemed to realize something shocking.

She couldn't believe that even someone like Hinata, the heiress of a noble family, would be bullied.

Those who bullied Hinata were incredibly bold!

But after hearing Yagyu's explanation, Sakura already felt a sense of kinship with Hinata—a bond born from shared experiences.

At that moment, Ino emerged from the Hyuga estate.

Walking beside her was a girl of similar height—Hinata.